Ringing in 2013: New Year's Eve in Tokyo

People release balloons to celebrate the New Year's during an annual countdown ceremony produced by the Prince Park Tower Tokyo, flagship of the Prince hotel chain in Tokyo on January 1, 2013. Some 1,000 balloons were released in the air with the visitors wishes.

People release balloons to celebrate the New Year's during an annual countdown ceremony produced by the Prince Park Tower Tokyo, flagship of the Prince hotel chain in Tokyo on January 1, 2013. Some 1,000 balloons were released in the air with the visitors wishes. (KAZUHIRO NOGI, AFPGetty Images)

People release balloons to celebrate the New Year's during an annual countdown ceremony produced by the Prince Park Tower Tokyo, flagship of the Prince hotel chain in Tokyo on January 1, 2013. Some 1,000 balloons were released in the air with the visitors wishes.KAZUHIRO NOGI, AFPGetty Images